Historian Who Investigated Nazis to Speak at FSC

Published: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at 3:59 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at 3:59 p.m.

LAKELAND | A retired federal historian who participated in the investigation of Nazi war crimes will speak Friday at a Florida Southern College-sponsored luncheon.

Steven B. Rogers, who graduated from FSC in 1974, became the first historian in the newly created Office of Special Investigations (OSI) in the criminal division of the U.S. Department of Justice in 1979. The office had assumed full jurisdiction for the investigation and prosecution of Nazi persecutors residing in the United States.

He served on special task forces investigating the post-war fugitives Klaus Barbie and Josef Mengele, and the location of Nazi gold and other Holocaust-era assets, for which he received an award from the Deputy Assistant Attorney General’s Office.

Professor Cindy Hardin, coordinator of the Legally Speaking Lecture Series, said it’s a can’t miss event. “We expect a fascinating and inspiring discussion,” she said. “... Anyone who misses this lecture will be passing up the opportunity to hear history come alive in front of them.”

Rogers has degrees in German, German literature and Germanic studies from FSC, the University of Arizona and the University of Maryland.

The public is invited to attend Friday’s event, which will be held starting at noon at the Lakeland Yacht and Country Club.

Friday’s talk will be about some of the experiences Rogers has had in his career, which included serving as OSI historian on several cases involving Nazi atrocities in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. He’s monitored border systems to prohibit Nazi persecutors from attempting to enter the U.S.

Rogers retired from the U.S. Department of Justice in 2010 after 31 years. He now works as a freelance historian and research consultant.

The cost of Friday’s event is $20, and includes lunch. To make a reservation, call 680-4113.

[ Mary Toothman can be reached at mary.toothman@theledger.com or 863-802-7512. Her Twitter feed is @MaryToothman.]

<p>LAKELAND | A retired federal historian who participated in the investigation of Nazi war crimes will speak Friday at a Florida Southern College-sponsored luncheon.</p><p>Steven B. Rogers, who graduated from FSC in 1974, became the first historian in the newly created Office of Special Investigations (OSI) in the criminal division of the U.S. Department of Justice in 1979. The office had assumed full jurisdiction for the investigation and prosecution of Nazi persecutors residing in the United States. </p><p>He served on special task forces investigating the post-war fugitives Klaus Barbie and Josef Mengele, and the location of Nazi gold and other Holocaust-era assets, for which he received an award from the Deputy Assistant Attorney General's Office.</p><p>Professor Cindy Hardin, coordinator of the Legally Speaking Lecture Series, said it's a can't miss event. “We expect a fascinating and inspiring discussion,” she said. “... Anyone who misses this lecture will be passing up the opportunity to hear history come alive in front of them.”</p><p>Rogers has degrees in German, German literature and Germanic studies from FSC, the University of Arizona and the University of Maryland.</p><p>The public is invited to attend Friday's event, which will be held starting at noon at the Lakeland Yacht and Country Club. </p><p>Friday's talk will be about some of the experiences Rogers has had in his career, which included serving as OSI historian on several cases involving Nazi atrocities in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. He's monitored border systems to prohibit Nazi persecutors from attempting to enter the U.S.</p><p>Rogers retired from the U.S. Department of Justice in 2010 after 31 years. He now works as a freelance historian and research consultant.</p><p>The cost of Friday's event is $20, and includes lunch. To make a reservation, call 680-4113.</p><p>[ Mary Toothman can be reached at mary.toothman@theledger.com or 863-802-7512. Her Twitter feed is @MaryToothman.]</p>